Catholic Bishops Rejects Moves by ECOWAS to deploy Troops to Niger

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ghana (CBCG) have rejected any move by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS, to use military force to restore ousted president Mohamed Bazoum of Niger.

In July 26, 2023, a military junta seized power in Niger, and has since held President Bazoum in the basement of his palace.

This has seen the ECOWAS condemn the action of the junta and has called on them to reinstate the constitutionally elected president, threatening to use force if they do not cede power.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has cautioned the ECOWAS to rule out the option of using military intervention to restore constitutional regime.

A statement released by the Conference indicated that using force will further worsen the problems of the country, which will see the vulnerable suffer.

“It is the position of the Conference that the idea of an ECOWAS military intervention for the restoration of constitutional regime in Niger should not even be contemplated.

“We should note that already Mali and Burkina Faso have dispatched warplanes to Niger in response to a potential military intervention by ECOWAS.

Moreover, Burkina Faso has threatened to withdraw from ECOWAS if the bloc intervenes militarily in Niger.

“In line with the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:27), we, as a Conference, are opposed to any military intervention against the coup makers in Niger, as this will exacerbate the already precarious situation in that country where civilians such as women, children, aged, weak and vulnerable in society are bearing the biggest brunt of the chaotic situation,” the statement said.

They also asked the ECOWAS to look at diplomatic solutions to the problems in order to avoid turmoil.

“Further, it is the position of the Conference that ECOWAS and its leaders should explore diplomacy in handling the situation. This will require further engagements with the coup leaders to discuss a concrete roadmap for the situation.

The Conference is confident that this approach will enable all parties and the mediators to speedily design long lasting solutions to the situation in Niger.”

The Conference also recommended to all African leaders “to review the system of governance in the continent to be inclusive, human-centred and one which creates opportunities for all to promote the national and continental development agenda.